Welcome Speech for Junior High School Entrance Ceremony

Preparing a welcome speech for a Japanese junior high school entrance ceremony (nyūgakushiki) requires a balance of formal respect and gentle encouragement. As a student representative or senior peer, your address welcomes new first year students as they begin their three year journey in early April. You will speak about wearing new uniforms, starting club activities, and learning the values of communal school life (shūdan seikatsu).

This page provides speech scripts and essay drafts across various lengths. Use the shorter 1-minute or 2-minute scripts if you need a brief address, or choose the 5-minute version for a full formal ceremony. You can adapt the key phrases and delivery tips provided below to practice your posture, respectful bows, and clear delivery at the podium.

About this piece

• Entrance ceremonies (nyūgakushiki) are formal events held in early April to welcome new students across Japan.
• The academic year aligns with Japan's fiscal year and the spring cherry blossom (sakura) season.
• New students wear formal school uniforms, while upperclassmen and teachers participate in welcoming them into the school community.
• The concept of communal living (shūdan seikatsu) is central to Japanese education, emphasizing teamwork, cleaning duties, and shared responsibilities.
• The formal ceremony typically includes speeches from the principal, guest addresses, and the singing of the school song (kōka).
• It is customary for participants to wear indoor shoes (uwabaki) inside the school building during the ceremony.

How it is done

• In Japan, the entrance ceremony (nyūgakushiki) is a formal event in early April that includes speeches from the principal, singing the school song, and welcoming new students into communal school life.
• In the USA, the first day of school often involves direct classroom orientations with fewer formal full-school ceremonies.
• In the UK, the academic year begins in September, contrasting with Japan's April start.